Packaging trays



Aug. 16, 1966 w. E. TINGLEY PACKAGING TRAYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 13, 1965 AGENT INVENTOR. WILLIAM E. TINGLEY Aug 3%, W66 W. E. TiN LEY 3,266,7Qfi

PACKAGING TRAYS Filed Aprii 13, 1965 c Sheds-Sheet T6 W6 80 I \r v s I 2 INVENTOR.

1a WILLIAM E. mom

I l I w 5 85 a1 r4 r5 i \JJ/fl' 7M \Y? N AGENT United States Patent 3,266,706 IAUKAGING TRAYS William E. Tingley, Westport, Conn., assignor to National Biscuit Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 447,788 15 Claims. (Cl. 22930) This invention relates to packaging means for fragile or delicate cakes, pastries, candy or bakery articles and in particular to the tray portion of a package therefor.

A particular object of the invention is to prevent breakage of fragile articles during packing, shipping and handling by providing a tray having suificient resiliency to protect delicate articles from breakage caused by sudden jarring or rough handling.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tray that may be wrapped in transparent wrapping material, for display, such as cellophane or polyethylene and which will yield to the pressure applied during the wrapping operation, to protect the fragile articles from breakage, and to provide a tray that may be used at the bottom of an oblong carton to protect stacked articles by yielding to the vertical movement of the stack which would otherwise cause breakage.

Further objects of the invention are to provide an article holding tray which may be used for direct display of an article; which may be cut and shaped so that the article receiving portion thereof need not be manipulated to hold an article, which when placed in position in the tray, will shape its own pocket; to cut the material of the tray so that an expanding rib suspension tray is formed that will support the article at all sides and will furnish a sway cushioning feature that is vertically and laterally yieldable to give the cushion effect necessary in guarding the article against breakage; and to provide various forms of a tray receptacle that can be quickly die cut, may be made an integral part of a carton structure, will yieldably support the article while the package is being wrapped and will continue to cushion the article against shock and jarring.

PRIOR ART Patent 503,313 for an egg carrier uses a radially slit seat means, which after an egg is placed therein provides no permanent cushioning effect.

Patent 1,205,362 for an egg carrier also uses a seating cup having spiral slits so that an open seat is formed for the egg. As both ends of the egg are seated, the device lacks a cushioning effect.

Patent 2,269,468 shows an egg carton in which eggs are supported in straps forming the bottom of a receptacle. These are pockets and do not provide any extended cushioning effect.

Patent 2,561,260 discloses a swing structure in a carton to prevent damage to a radio receiver or the like during shipment. A limited swing motion is provided but no cushioning effect is evident.

Patent 2,654,470 for a display carton provides for mounting an article in an opening to 'be supported on a strap and inasmuch as the patent is directed to cleaning pads there appears to be no reason or means for holding the same in yieldable suspension to prevent breakage.

The foregoing patents represent a comprehensive investigation of the art and reveal that applicants idea appears to be novel.

With the foregoing objects in view, the invention comprises certain constructions hereinafter described and then particularly pointed out in the claims and preferred embodiments of my invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a blank from which a tray is shaped to provide article supporting expanding rib suspension means,

FIGURE 2 is a view in perspective of the tray folded for use and showing how an article supporting section of the tray is yieldably supported from the tray panel,

FIGURE 3 is a section on the line 33 of FIGURE 2 showing the article supporting position of the panel section and the means for holding it in suspension to provide for sidewise and endwise sway,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view showing how the tray is cut to form a unitary rectangular article supporting expanding rib suspension means,

FIGURE 5 is a plan view showing how the tray is cut to provide a form of suspension means other than that illustrated in FIGURE 4,

FIGURE 6 is a plan view showing how the tray is cut to delineate nested receptacles in which expanding rib suspension means are of the type shown in FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view showing how the tray is cut to provide circular receptacles and expanding rib suspension means fitted thereto.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3 a receptacle blank 10 made of cardboard or any suitable material is scored and shaped to take the form of an inverted tray and includes a top panel 11 with adjoining side and end walls 12 and 13 respectively, the former being shaped to provide shaping tabs 14. The blank is scored as at 15 and indented or notched as at 16 to facilitate folding into inverted tray shape as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Diiferent forms of the invention are shown in the FIG- URES 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7, all employing the yieldable support feature of the invention. In FIGURES l, 2 and 3 the top panel 11 is die cut along the lines 17, 18, 19 and 21 near each of the four borders of the top panel 11 to form and expandable rib 22 for suspending the central portion of the top panel 11, the strip portions 23 and 24 of the rib, delineated by the incision 18, being connected to the panel 11 by opposing tabs 25, defined by fold scores 26 and formed integrally with end connecting sections 27. This is clearly shown in FIGURE 2 and illustrates the expansion of the ribs, when an article is placed in the tray on panel 11 to depress the same, to provided a yieldable diamond shaped expansion or suspension means and sidewise support at all four sides of the tray so that jarring or shock is taken up and the article is held against any damage. The material of the tray is such that it is somewhat resilient and gives a cushioning effect to the article disposed in the tray and the expanded ribs constitute side walls for supporting the article in the panel receptacle.

In FIGURE 4, the blank includes the end walls 28, lock tabs 29 and the tray panel 31 all delineated by the cut and score lines 32 and 33, respectively. It is understood that the usual practice in cutting is through the use of dies and to this end spaced die-cut lines 34 terminating at opposite sides of the panel 31 to provide tabs 35, coact with the die-cut slit lines 36 which, along with cuts 34, form an expandable rib 37 of cornering form to provide for more yieldable resistance to depression of that portion of the panel that receives the article. This is because the ribs 37 are not cut through at the corners as at 21 in FIG- URES 1 and 2, thus taking advantage of the added resistance afforded by the continuous expandable rib 37, which is substantially rectangular in form and extends unbroken about the four sides of the panel 31. The expandable rib 37, slit in part by lines 36, thus presents rib portions 38 and 39 which, when the panel 31 is depressed, expand or open to diamond shape in the same manner as do the rib portions 23 and 24 shown in FIGURE 3 to provide a yieldable cushioning resistance to downward and 3 lateral movements of the article supporting area of the panel 31.

In FIGURE 5, the side and end expandable ribs 40 and 41 respectively, are cut in the panel 42 delineated by fold lines 43 defining tray end walls 44 and tray side walls 45 the latter of which are scored as at 46 to provide foldable tab portions 47 for forming the tray. The side ribs 40 are severed at the ends thereof at the corner of the panel 42, as at 48, and are slit lengthwise as at 49 to define strip or rib portions 50 and 51 secured to the panel 42 by uncut tabs 52. When the article supporting portion of panel 42 is depressed, these side ribs 40 appear as shown for the ribs 22 in FIGURE 3 with the rib or strip portions 50 and 51 providing the yieldable cushioning effect for the depressible panel portion. The end ribs 40, slit as at 53, to provide the strip or rib portions 54 and 55 are secured to the panel 42 by the uncut tabs 56 so that each rib portion at one end is secured to the panel by tabs 56 and to each other at the opposite end as at 57 to give the balanced support to the loaded panel section that is needed.

The forms of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 to inclusive are particularly adapted for articles of rectangular shape. These may also contain round or circular articles; but in FIGURE 6 the tray has been shaped to hold articles of triangular form and to this end the tray blank has been scored as at 58 to define side panels 59, end panels 60, and tabs 61. The latter elements are partly defined by cut lines 62, and the panel 63, providing depressible portions that are formed integrally with the main panel section by the tabs, which will be described. The formation of the suspension ribs in FIGURE 6 is similar to those in FIGURE 1 except for adaption to triangular form. The panel is slit on lines 64 and 65 to define expandable ribs 66 having extended or open diamondshaped configuration and having the strip portions 67 and 68 connected to the panel 63 by the tabs 69 and 70 respectively. The ends of the ribs 66 are severed at each corner of the triangle as at 71 and the strips or rib portions 67 and 68 are s'lit apart on the line 72 which terminates short of the ends of the ribs 66 to provide connected portions 73 joining the ends of the strips 67 and 68. For compact arrangement the triangular receptacles are nested but the arrangement of the expanding ribbed suspension receptacles is such that motion of the articles contained therein is cushioned in all directions.

In FIGURE 7 the application of the invention to a tray having circular receptacles is shown and here also the formation of the expanding rib portions which open to diamond shape is substantially like that shown in FIGURE 1 except that they are of arcuate shape, each extending ninety degrees of the panel section. In FIGURE 7 the tray blank is scored at 74 to define side panels 75, end panels 76, tabs 77 and a central panel 78. The latter is slit arcuately as at 79 and 80 to define expandable segmental'ly shaped ribs 81 which are centrally slit as at 82 to provide rib portions or strips 83 and 84. The end of each rib 81 is severed from the ends of adjacent ribs and the slits 79, 80 and 82 are interrupted to form tabs 85 and 86 which connect the ribs 81 at their ends and at their outer peripheries with the panel; the tab 86 connecting the inner peripheries with the central article supporting section of the panel. Thus a ninety degree spaces the article supporting central section of the panel 78 is supported by expanding rib or strip suspension means which open to diamond shape and cushion jars in any horizontal direction that would cause breakage of the article being carried or handled. This form of the invention is particularly adapted to use in the bottom of a vertical container in which empty ice cream cones are stacked and provides a resilient support for the cones to reduce breakage thereof. In all forms the expanding rib or strip portions provide side support for the articles as above noted.

In the various forms of the invention in which the ribs are shown separated at the ends, it is within the scope of the invention to connect these ribs at the ends thereof as 4 in FIGURE 4 and to this end the claims embrace this modified structure.

My invention is not to be restricted to the precise details of construction shown since various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing the advantages to be derived from its use.

What I claim is:

1. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank having a central article supporting panel die-cut adjacent the periphery thereof to define longitudinal rib portions separable from each other at the ends thereof, said die-cuts terminating centrally of said rib portions to provide tab means for mounting the rib portions in the panel, and said rib portions and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide a yieldable suspension means for the panel when an article is placed thereon.

2. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank having a central article supporting panel die-cut adjacent the periphery thereof to define longitudinal rib portions, said die-cuts terminating centrally of said rib portions to provide tab means for mounting the rib portions in the panel, and said rib portions and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide a yieldable suspension means for the panel when an article is placed thereon.

3. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank having an article supporting panel die-cut about the periphery thereof to define rib portions, said die-cuts terminating centrally of said rib portions to provide tab means for mounting the rib portions in the panel, and said rib portions and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide yieldable suspension means for the panel when an article is placed thereon.

4. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank having a plurality of article supporting panels delineated therein, said panels each being die-cut about the peripheries thereof to define rib portions, said die-cuts terminating centrally of said rib portions to provide tab means for mounting the rib portions in each of said panels, and said rib portions and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide yieldable suspension means for the panels when articles are placed thereon.

5. In a tray of the character set forth in claim 4, in which said rib portions are separated at the ends thereof for independent expandable action.

6. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank having an article supporting panel die-cut about the periphery thereof to define a continuous rib portion at the sides thereof, said die-cuts terminating centrally of each rib portion at said sides to provide tab means for mounting the rib portion in the panel at the sides thereof, and said rib portion and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide yieldable suspension means at the sides of the panel when an article is placed thereon.

7. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank scored to provide a top panel, side and end walls and shaping tabs, said top panel being die-cut in triangular shape to define an article supporting panel section and a rib portion bounding said section, said die-cuts terminating at the center of each side of said triangle to provide tab means for connecting the rib portion to the article supporting panel section, and said rib portion and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide yieldable suspension means for the article supporting panel section when an article is placed thereon.

8. A tray of the character set forth in claim 7, in which said top panel presents a plurality of said die-cut triangular shapes arranged in nested relation.

9. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank presenting a top panel including an article supporting panel of triangular shape die-cut about the periphery thereof to define a plurality of rib portions, said die-cuts terminating centrally of said rib portions to provide tab means for mounting the rib portions in the panel, and said rib portions and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide yieldable suspension means for the panel when an article is placed thereon.

10. A tray of the character set forth in claim 9, in which said top panel presents a plurality of said article supporting panels of triangular shape arranged in nested relation.

11. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank presenting a top panel including an article supporting panel of circular shape die-cut about the periphery thereof to define a plurality of rib portions, said die-cuts terminating centrally of said rib portions to provide tab means for mounting the rib portions in the panel, and said rib portions and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide yieldable suspension means for the panel when an article is placed thereon.

12. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, including a top panel including an article supporting panel of circular shape having die-cuts about the periphery thereof to define a rib portion, said die-cuts terminating at substantially ninety degree positions to provide tab means for mounting the rib portions in the panel, and said rib portions and tabs being slit to produce strip portions expandable to provide yieldable suspension means for the panel When an article is placed thereon.

13. A tray for supporting fragile articles in a package against breakage, comprising a blank having an article supporting panel die-cut about the periphery thereof to define first and second rib portions, said die-cuts of the second rib portions terminating centrally thereof to provide tab means for mounting said rib portions in the panel,

said rib portions and tabs and the first of said rib portions being slit to produce strip portions closed at opposite ends and expandable to provide yieldable suspension means for the panel when an article is placed thereon.

14. A tray of the character set forth in claim 13 in which said first and second rib portions are disposed at right angles to each other.

15. In a carrier for fragile articles a tray having a panel providing a central article supporting section, said panel being die-cut adjacent the periphery thereof to provide rib portions expandable to diamond shape, said diecuts terminating adjacent the ends of said rib portions to provide tabs connecting the ends of each of said rib portions and said rib portions being longitudinally slit to produce relatively expandable rib strips for yieldably supporting said central article supporting section with respect to the rest of said tray structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,203,084 6/1940 Evans 229-37 2,466,636 4/1949 Bruckner et al. 224-48 2,766,919 8/1956 Randall 229-30 X 2,771,232 11/1956 Reed 229--30 X 3,040,956 6/1962 Skowronski 229-430 X GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner. 

1. A TRAY FOR SUPPORTING FRAGILE ARTICLES IN A PACKAGE AGAINST BREAKAGE, COMPRISING A BLANK HAVING A CENTRAL ARTICLE SUPPORTING PANEL DIE-CUT ADJACENT THE PERIPHERY THEREOF TO DEFINE LONGITUDINAL RIB PORTIONS SEPARABLE FROM EACH OTHER AT THE ENDS THEREOF, SAID DIE-CUTS TERMINATING CENTRALLY OF SAID RIB PORTIONS TO PROVIDE TAB MEANS FOR MOUNTING THE RIB PORTIONS TO PROVIDE TAB MEANS FOR TIONS AND TABS BEING SLIT TO PRODUCE STRIP PORTIONS EXPANDABLE TO PROVIDE A YIELDABLE SUSPENSION MEANS FOR THE PANEL WHEN AN ARTICLE IS PLACED THEREON. 